Officials in Prakasam and Nellore districts maintained a vigil as the severe cyclonic storm ‘Gaja’ moved further towards the Tamil Nadu coast on Thursday. Fishing operations were completely stopped as the sea remained very rough.
Though the cyclonic storm was predicted to make a landfall in south Tamil Nadu, revenue officials in the coastal mandals in both Prakasam and Nellore districts positioned themselves in the respective areas, expecting heavy rain to lash south coastal Andhra Pradesh for two days under the influence of ‘Gaja’, which is likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm before crossing the coast between Pamban, near Rameswaram, and Cuddalore in neighbouring State later in the day.
Security personnel, who were posted in the coastal region, had a tough time in restraining people from going near the sea.
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The India Meteorological Department has predicted wind speed of 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph. Sea conditions remained rough to very rough.